Cards, personal loans and other unsecured debt
Credit card & unsecured debt
See how long your cards take to pay off, what the minimum payment really costs, and how nonprofit counseling and settlement compare.
Guides
Understand your options first
Start hereHow to Pay Off Credit Card Debt: Every Way Out, Honestly
How to get out of credit card debt: every path from a payoff plan you run yourself to counseling, loans, settlement and bankruptcy, with what each costs.
12 min readAwaiting expert review
Debt Avalanche Method vs. Snowball: Which Pays Off Debt Faster?
Avalanche pays the highest rate first and usually costs less. Snowball clears the smallest balance first. See both run on the same debts, in dollars.
8 min readAwaiting expert review
Debt Settlement Pros and Cons: Costs, Credit and Taxes
Debt settlement can close large card debt for less than you owe, but it hurts credit, adds fees and can bring taxes and lawsuits. Here is what to weigh.
9 min readAwaiting expert review
Tools for this topic
Run your own numbers
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Payoff planner
Avalanche or snowball: your debt-free date and what each order costs.
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Minimum-payment trap
What paying only the minimum costs, next to a three-year plan.
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Settlement estimator
What a settlement program might cost after fees and taxes.
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Credit card interest calculator
What your APR costs this billing cycle and each month.
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Credit utilization calculator
How much of your limits you use, overall and per card.
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Hardship letter builder
Ask your card company for a lower rate or payment, in writing.
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Settlement offer letter
Offer to settle a balance, with the agreement in writing first.
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Insolvency worksheet
How much canceled debt may be excluded from income (IRS Form 982).
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Debt payoff spreadsheet
Your payoff plan month by month, as a file for Google Sheets or Excel.
Want someone to help?
Compare providers that fit your numbers, alongside nonprofit credit counseling. You choose who, if anyone, contacts you.